On August 17, 2014, nearly 1000 people came out to join the Skateboarding Heritage Foundation, Bowl Bros, Suncoast Surfrider Foundation, and Florida Skate Museum for a celebration of the Bro Bowl in Tampa. Some traveled as far away as California to pay tribute to the historic Bowl—and to meet with Joel Jackson, the designer and builder of this landmark. Some of the visitors included skate legends such as Paul Schmitt, Bruce Walker, Sam Myhre, Chuck Dinkins, and Cleo Coney. Joel Jackson (center) received the first proof of a limited edition print made by Craig Snyder and Julia Arredondo in gratitude for his service to the community and for creating a place that has been loved by everyone, both skaters and non-skaters alike. The handmade print was produced in a limited run of 35 and is currently available through the Skateboarding Heritage Foundation museum shop. All proceeds go to support the Skateboarding Heritage Foundation. Photo: Dlr Rld

SAVE THE BRO BOWL

The Perry Harvey Sr. Park Skateboard Bowl in Tampa, Florida, more affectionately known as the "Bro Bowl," is one of the last remaining skateparks of the 70s era. On October 7, 2013, due to its historical and cultural significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Despite this official recognition and rare honor, it still remains in danger of being demolished by Mayor Bob Buckhorn and the City of Tampa.

ABOVE: Rendering by architect Patrick A. Sullivan, on how the Bowl could be aesthetically integrated into the new plans for the park.

LAND HOG?The claim by the City of Tampa that the Bro Bowl is the way of city and developer redevelopment plans for their Encore project is a false one. At 6500 square feet, the Bro Bowl occupies little more than 1% of the 11 acres that define Perry Harvey Sr. Park. See "Myths & Facts: Central Avenue, Perry Harvey Sr. Park, and the Bro Bowl" on this site.

AN ENEMY OF HISTORY?The assertion that the Bro Bowl stands in the way of honoring the African-American history of the area (a history that was ironically destroyed by city itself over period of several decades) is also fictitious. It's location and small footprint does not affect the planned history walk or any of the other features that honor the area's Aftrican-Amercian history. The Perry Harvey Sr. Park Skateboard Bowl is, in fact, very much a part of the black history of this neighborhood. See "A New Vision" on this site.

NOT HISTORIC?There are also claims that it is not historic, yet it is, and on a variety of levels. City of Tampa, State of Florida, and Federal National Park Service preservation officials have all confirmed that it has significant historical and cultural value. A number of non-profit and independent organizations also agree that it should be preserved. They include the Skateboarding Heritage Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, Florida Skate Museum, Tony Hawk Foundation, and Tampa Preservation, Inc. Professional skaters such as Tony Hawk and Bob Burnquist also publicly support its preservation. (See Tony Hawk interview on this site and Bob Burnquist interview at WDAE.) As a unique representative of 1970s American architecture and innovation, an icon of American skate culture from an era in which the birth of modern skating and the X Games unfolded, and as part of the rich and diverse history of Perry Harvey Sr. Park (City of Tampa, 1978 to present), the city's only African-American public park, there is no mistaking that the Bro Bowl holds historic value.

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF?The Meacham Elementary School, formerly located near Perry Harvey Sr. Park, was one of the first African-American public schools in the State of Florida. The City of Tampa, as it happened, bulldozed Meacham in 2007, just two years after this historic building had been placed on the National Register of Historic Places for being one of Florida's first and last remaining historic black public schools. [See the Wikipedia article here, and The Tampa Tribune article here.] Now they want to tear down more history from the area?

BULLYING OR HARASSMENT?Besides threats of demolition, there are also threats being made by Mayor Bob Buckhorn and the City of Tampa that if it is decided that the Bro Bowl remains, following the result of the Section 106 mitigation process that is currently taking place, the Bowl will become fenced, supervised, and regulated, which is contrary to the conditions of its listing on the National Register of Historic Places by the Federal office of the National Park Service. For over 36 years, the Bro Bowl, as Florida's first public skatepark, has served the Tampa and skateboarding communities as a free, unfenced, unsupervised facility, open 24/7 throughout the year. And this is what has also made the Bro Bowl both unique and historic. Modifying the environment of any property listed on the NRHP, besides changing the structure itself, is considered an adverse effect. Is this just?

JUST THE BEGINNINGThe Bro Bowl has witnessed nearly four decades of the ever-changing landscape known as Downtown Tampa. It has seen many a conflict, as well as united people of all ages, race, gender, background, and socio-economic status. As this historic structure prepares to meet the challenges it faces that will ultimately determine its future, we offer an insight as to what it has meant to our City and generations both past and present. What are your experiences? How has this piece of green concrete shaped your life, and how will it shape others? Reflect on this, and let your voice be heard. Sign the petition, contact Mayor Buckhorn @: tampagov.net/dept_mayor/contact.asp or contact Dennis Fernandez, Architectural Review & Historic Preservation Manager, at (813) 274-3100, option 3, or @ Dennis.Fernandez@tampagov.net to encourage the City of Tampa to preserve this unique element of Tampa and American skateboarding history.

Hand printed limited edition 14” x 22” print is now available at Skateboarding Heritage Foundation. All proceeds support the Foundation operations and mission, as well as special programs and preservation campaigns such as the "Save the Bro Bowl" effort. Get yours while you can!

Welcome

The Perry Harvey Sr. Park Skateboard Bowl, also known as the “Bro Bowl” was constructed in 1978 in heart of the Historic Central Avenue area of Downtown Tampa, Florida. it has become a Tampa landmark that is internationally known and stands as one of the last surviving parks of the skatepark era (1976-1982) and skateboarding's Golden Age (1973-1980). The surf style concrete skateboard park was constructed by the City of Tampa as a means of providing a recreational facility for inner city youth. It consists of a steep downhill course which leads to a curved dish at the bottom of the hill. It varies in depth from approximately one to six feet. It is part downhill slalom, part ditch, and part swimming pool. It sits in an idyllic setting with grass and shade trees, and is surrounded by a playground, a recreation building, sidewalks, and basketball courts. The structure is in good condition due to the maintenance performed by the city, as well as the voluntary upkeep by the local skateboarders who frequent it. It is one of the oldest surviving concrete skateboard parks in the United States and world.

SAVE THE BRO BOWL — SIGN THE PETITION

Dedication plaque for Perry Harvey Sr. Park. The park and the Bro Bowl opened in 1978, but was not dedicated until the following year. Photo: Lance Robson

Quotable Quotes

"The Bro Bowl is a defining piece of rich Florida skateboarding history. When the world thinks of skateboarding in Florida or the East Coast, they think of the Bro Bowl, Kona, and the Skate Park of Tampa. It would be a shame not to honor this piece of history."

— Chuck Dinkins, 80s and 90s pro skater and inductee into the Skateboard Hall of Fame

Bro Bowl Preservation Campaign Supporters

The Bro Bowl Preservation Campaign is made up of individuals like yourself and organizations who support the idea that the Bro Bowl in Tampa, Florida, should be preserved. Some of these organizations include:

We encourage you to show your support by making a donation to one or more of these organizations—or become a member!. Just click on a name to be taken to their website. It's a great way to say thank you for the time and resources they have invested so far in the Bro Bowl Preservation Campaign.